Fiberglass 101

[pvalovich]

I'm finishing the canopy (-8A and Sikaflex) and am preparing to jump into the fiberglass tasks as the next step - skirts, cowl, gear, tips. I've never worked with fiberglass before and am somewhat overwhelmed by the material/process options.

I've found a bunch of archived material, but most of it assumes a greater level of basic understanding than I currently have.

Anyone want to jump in with biased opinions of what they purchased / how they did it - or provide leads to insructional info? Assume total ignorance on my part. Fiberglass 101 / Fiberglass for Dumbies!!!!!

[fstringham7a]

Check out the following for info:

Vans Air Force threads

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=fiberglass
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=fiberglass
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ght=fiberglass

Van Aircraft Links

http://www.jeffsrv-7a.com/FUSELAGE/05-03-27.htm
http://www.rvproject.com/construction_log.html#finish

also use Vans Airforce Search engine.............

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/search.php

Check out your local EAA Chapter I just know you will find someone that can help.

Fishing/golf/flying....you name it everyone has a favorite technique. I learned while trying to build a Vision Aircraft .....www.visionaircraft.com ... didn't finish the plane, but the FG practice/Fabricatioin came in handy.

I know before the day is through you will have plenty of info from the forum........

Frank @ 1L8 ...RV7A... Paint Prep

[Transporter]

Check out the West System website (www.westsystem.com). They have instructional videos for sale as well as a lot of free info regarding their products and how to use them.

I'd also recommend the Sam James "Fiberglass 101" video available directly from James Aircraft (www.jamesaircraft.com) or from Aircraft Spruce (about $30 or so).

Try a small project (not on your plane) for practice. Try different techniques, epoxy with and without filler, etc. using small batches of epoxy and small pieces of glass cloth. Play with it for a couple of days and you'll discover how to wet down the cloth for layups, fill the weave, etc.

Good luck,
Mike

[szicree]

Go to youtube.com and search for "fiberglass". You'll get tons of videos.

[AltonD]

This guy has just what you are asking for. Short read and makes it look simple.

http://www.rvpilot.com/Fiberglass/fiberglass.html